Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots
07-06-2004, 09:33 PM
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Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots
Well I took apart my front suspension to try to figure out how to make these rack and pinion boots work as shock dust boots, which I did, so I thought I would take more pics and make a write-up on how to install these new Ground Control sleeves for Koni shocks. These new sleeves differ from the previous ones in that no adapter is needed. The inner diameter of the sleeve matches the Koni shock outer diamter exactly, and has a machined lip that sits directly on the snap ring. 
For more info on installing the Konis themselves, check out .RJ's write-up here:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=891136
Here is the rack and pinion boot I got, $6.99 from AutoZone
The boot, cut the SMALL end off and fit it over the shock body, and cut the LARGER end off and slip it over the bumpstop (forthcoming pics will illustrate):
Here are normal spring and shock parts, I just used a stock spring to illustrate the assembly order.
Shock, spring perch, spring, bumpstop, smaller washer, dust cover, larger washer, top mount, dished washer, lock nut or 2 jam nuts on Konis:
When you install Ground Controls on Koni shocks, this is what you DON'T use:
spring perch and ring, OEM dust cover, OEM upper spring insulator
close-up of new Ground Control sleeve for Konis showing the machined lip that sits on the snap ring:
To keep the sleeve from spinning around on the shock, wrap some electrical tape around the shock body. Once around will do.
Make sure the tape does not overlap itself at any point.
Slide the sleeve over the shock body, rotating it around when it hits the tape to help it fully seat on the snap ring
Shock w/ sleeve installed
Put the rack and pinion boot over the shock, the end that was previously very small (see first pics) should go over the shock body. Then install the bumpstop, and zip tie everything in place. Put the zipties in the valleys of the boot's folds, and position the ziptie around the bumpstop such that it tightens into one of the grooves on the bumpstop
Shock w/ new dust boot
I slid the lower zip tie down as far as it would go, with the cut end of the boot overlapping the GC sleeve:
Top end of the boot over the bumpstop
Cut off a strip from the top shown in the pic so that the upper mount will be able to fit over the bumpstop:
Top mount w/ new GC upper insulator (remove original rubber insulator):
Top mount assembled:
Place spring onto shock:
Install top mount and dished washer (make sure dish faces up):
Install jam nuts:
Completed assembly
When you are done you should have 4 dust covers, 4 spring perches, 4 perch rings (maybe not depending on the vintage of your Koni shocks, you might only have 2 rings from the front), and 4 original spring isolators left over
Here is the car after the original install and initial adjustment:
Showing off my m4d carpentry skillz y0 with these plywood ramps I made so I can get the jack under my car
After adjusting it to get it to sit level, and then raising it about 1 to 1.5 turns all around:
Modified by PatrickGSR94 at 12:43 PM 7/7/2004
For more info on installing the Konis themselves, check out .RJ's write-up here:
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=891136
Here is the rack and pinion boot I got, $6.99 from AutoZone
The boot, cut the SMALL end off and fit it over the shock body, and cut the LARGER end off and slip it over the bumpstop (forthcoming pics will illustrate):
Here are normal spring and shock parts, I just used a stock spring to illustrate the assembly order.
Shock, spring perch, spring, bumpstop, smaller washer, dust cover, larger washer, top mount, dished washer, lock nut or 2 jam nuts on Konis:
When you install Ground Controls on Koni shocks, this is what you DON'T use:
spring perch and ring, OEM dust cover, OEM upper spring insulator
close-up of new Ground Control sleeve for Konis showing the machined lip that sits on the snap ring:
To keep the sleeve from spinning around on the shock, wrap some electrical tape around the shock body. Once around will do.
Make sure the tape does not overlap itself at any point.
Slide the sleeve over the shock body, rotating it around when it hits the tape to help it fully seat on the snap ring
Shock w/ sleeve installed
Put the rack and pinion boot over the shock, the end that was previously very small (see first pics) should go over the shock body. Then install the bumpstop, and zip tie everything in place. Put the zipties in the valleys of the boot's folds, and position the ziptie around the bumpstop such that it tightens into one of the grooves on the bumpstop
Shock w/ new dust boot
I slid the lower zip tie down as far as it would go, with the cut end of the boot overlapping the GC sleeve:
Top end of the boot over the bumpstop
Cut off a strip from the top shown in the pic so that the upper mount will be able to fit over the bumpstop:
Top mount w/ new GC upper insulator (remove original rubber insulator):
Top mount assembled:
Place spring onto shock:
Install top mount and dished washer (make sure dish faces up):
Install jam nuts:
Completed assembly
When you are done you should have 4 dust covers, 4 spring perches, 4 perch rings (maybe not depending on the vintage of your Koni shocks, you might only have 2 rings from the front), and 4 original spring isolators left over
Here is the car after the original install and initial adjustment:
Showing off my m4d carpentry skillz y0 with these plywood ramps I made so I can get the jack under my car
After adjusting it to get it to sit level, and then raising it about 1 to 1.5 turns all around:
Modified by PatrickGSR94 at 12:43 PM 7/7/2004
07-06-2004, 09:53 PM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (PatrickGSR94)
nice write up man.. car looks really good, and i love the way its sitting!!
great job!!
P.S. cutting your bumpstops do you notice a better ride then uncut, when riding that low?? i would like to know b/c my ride is bouncy at times witha similar set-up, but i did not cut the bumpstops??
great job!!
P.S. cutting your bumpstops do you notice a better ride then uncut, when riding that low?? i would like to know b/c my ride is bouncy at times witha similar set-up, but i did not cut the bumpstops??
07-06-2004, 09:56 PM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (manikgsr)
I ran my old H&R Sport springs (3" drop on my car) w/ uncut bumpstops (as directed by H&R) for over 1.5 years. I decided to cut them last October and did not notice any change in ride quality. You wouldn't notice a change anyway unless you were totally riding on the bumpstops.
Since these springs are so much stiffer than the H&R's, chances of it bottoming are much less even w/ full bumpstops, but I went ahead and cut them anyway.
Since these springs are so much stiffer than the H&R's, chances of it bottoming are much less even w/ full bumpstops, but I went ahead and cut them anyway.
07-06-2004, 11:01 PM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (SpoonboyChoi)
Hey in that pic of the GG/Koni seyup, you are missing the black aluminum adaptor that fits inside the GC sleeve and seats against the snapring. That is quite needed, just FYI. You may have put it on later, but in the pix it is nowhere to be seen.
07-06-2004, 11:08 PM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (nfn15037)
what happen to your car?...i remember it being fully painter green?...o wait...i just notice that u just on a 98 front end huh?...good job..
...yah...i'm aznstyler119...i had the same set up with you...with h&R...not sure if u remember..anywayz...look good....we should see who can keep up with who in on the twisties......are u in the bay area?
...yah...i'm aznstyler119...i had the same set up with you...with h&R...not sure if u remember..anywayz...look good....we should see who can keep up with who in on the twisties......are u in the bay area?
07-06-2004, 11:24 PM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (nfn15037)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nfn15037 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey in that pic of the GG/Koni seyup, you are missing the black aluminum adaptor that fits inside the GC sleeve and seats against the snapring. That is quite needed, just FYI. You may have put it on later, but in the pix it is nowhere to be seen.</TD></TR></TABLE>
the redesigned sleeves incorporate a machined lip at the bottom of the sleeve which seats directly upon the snapring as opposed to the old style which uses the adaptor.
the redesigned sleeves incorporate a machined lip at the bottom of the sleeve which seats directly upon the snapring as opposed to the old style which uses the adaptor.
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07-07-2004, 12:14 AM
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Re: (importdude2000)
great writeup! this may be a stupid question but is there a point in having those (boot) on say my setup (kyb agx + h&r sport springs)... it looks cleaner...
this may be a stupid question but is there a point in having those (boot) on say my setup (kyb agx + h&r sport springs)... it looks cleaner...
07-07-2004, 01:17 AM
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Re: (NightRider-gsR)
So the GC sleeve just sits on that small part sticking out of the strut? Is that enough to support it? 
That aside, great write-up, it'll come in handy whenever I finally get the funds to upgrade my suspension. Don't take the pics off, haha that was a pain with the S2 IM install.
to ya.
That aside, great write-up, it'll come in handy whenever I finally get the funds to upgrade my suspension. Don't take the pics off, haha that was a pain with the S2 IM install.
to ya.
07-07-2004, 03:33 AM
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Re: (alfaaay)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alfaaay »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So the GC sleeve just sits on that small part sticking out of the strut? Is that enough to support it?
</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's been supporting the spring perch and spring for the past 2.5 years and over 60K miles. It won't be a problem.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's been supporting the spring perch and spring for the past 2.5 years and over 60K miles. It won't be a problem.
07-07-2004, 04:59 AM
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Re: (maggsgsr)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maggsgsr »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Patrick, did you order customer rates? Hows the ride?</TD></TR></TABLE>
380F/450R... it can be rough at times, but the handling is light years beyond those H&R Sport springs. The stiffer rear rates also work alot better w/ the 22mm ITR swaybar.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SHystrdyGSRtdy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">great writeup! this may be a stupid question but is there a point in having those (boot) on say my setup (kyb agx + h&r sport springs)... it looks cleaner... </TD></TR></TABLE>
These boots are only needed when a smaller coilover spring is used. With regular OEM replacement springs, use the OEM dust cover.
380F/450R... it can be rough at times, but the handling is light years beyond those H&R Sport springs. The stiffer rear rates also work alot better w/ the 22mm ITR swaybar.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SHystrdyGSRtdy »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">great writeup!
this may be a stupid question but is there a point in having those (boot) on say my setup (kyb agx + h&r sport springs)... it looks cleaner... </TD></TR></TABLE>These boots are only needed when a smaller coilover spring is used. With regular OEM replacement springs, use the OEM dust cover.
07-07-2004, 05:54 AM
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Re: (PatrickGSR94)
Thanks, I meant custom rates. So you just had the rear springs swapped out from 250-280 to 450 right? After years of talking about it, I'm finally ready to order my GC's.
07-07-2004, 06:00 AM
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Re: (maggsgsr)
There was no swapping done, I ordered GC's to fit Koni shocks, and told them what spring rates I wanted.
I actually asked for 350F/400R, and the guy said 350 was too soft for the front of an Integra, I'm not sure why... but he suggested 380 front so I was like whatever, and decided to go w/ 450 in the back.
I actually asked for 350F/400R, and the guy said 350 was too soft for the front of an Integra, I'm not sure why... but he suggested 380 front so I was like whatever, and decided to go w/ 450 in the back.
07-07-2004, 07:46 AM
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Re: (PatrickGSR94)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PatrickGSR94 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I actually asked for 350F/400R, and the guy said 350 was too soft for the front of an Integra, I'm not sure why... but he suggested 380 front so I was like whatever, and decided to go w/ 450 in the back.</TD></TR></TABLE>
it does seem kind of soft for the front. I am temporarily on Illuminas and 380's in the front... on my other old DC, I was on 550's in the fronts and it was a definite better ride for commuting.
I actually asked for 350F/400R, and the guy said 350 was too soft for the front of an Integra, I'm not sure why... but he suggested 380 front so I was like whatever, and decided to go w/ 450 in the back.</TD></TR></TABLE>
it does seem kind of soft for the front. I am temporarily on Illuminas and 380's in the front... on my other old DC, I was on 550's in the fronts and it was a definite better ride for commuting.
07-07-2004, 09:28 AM
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Re: Write-up: Installing Koni Ground Controls and custom dust boots (delinquent)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by delinquent »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
the redesigned sleeves incorporate a machined lip at the bottom of the sleeve which seats directly upon the snapring as opposed to the old style which uses the adaptor.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Oo kickass! I was wondering about that, thanks!
the redesigned sleeves incorporate a machined lip at the bottom of the sleeve which seats directly upon the snapring as opposed to the old style which uses the adaptor.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Oo kickass! I was wondering about that, thanks!
07-07-2004, 09:38 AM
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Re: (yourmom25)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yourmom25 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what exactly is the purpose of that boot? what does it do? i just removed my OEM dust cover when i put on my eibach prokit.</TD></TR></TABLE>
To keep dust and debris out. Your OEM dust cover won't fit properly over a coilover setup.
To keep dust and debris out. Your OEM dust cover won't fit properly over a coilover setup.
07-07-2004, 09:45 AM
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Re: (B Cruz)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B Cruz »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
it does seem kind of soft for the front. I am temporarily on Illuminas and 380's in the front... on my other old DC, I was on 550's in the fronts and it was a definite better ride for commuting.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Dang what shocks were you running? Revalved Konis? 500 is about the limit of what regular OTS Konis can handle.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yourmom25 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what exactly is the purpose of that boot? what does it do? i just removed my OEM dust cover when i put on my eibach prokit.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You should put the OEM dust cover on w/ the ProKit springs. It keeps dust and crap from getting on the shock piston and then into the seals.
it does seem kind of soft for the front. I am temporarily on Illuminas and 380's in the front... on my other old DC, I was on 550's in the fronts and it was a definite better ride for commuting.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Dang what shocks were you running? Revalved Konis? 500 is about the limit of what regular OTS Konis can handle.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by yourmom25 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what exactly is the purpose of that boot? what does it do? i just removed my OEM dust cover when i put on my eibach prokit.</TD></TR></TABLE>
You should put the OEM dust cover on w/ the ProKit springs. It keeps dust and crap from getting on the shock piston and then into the seals.